The agreement was signed in the presence of Patrick Chalhoub, co-CEO of Chalhoub Group and Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares.

In line with their commitment to education, the Chalhoub Group will support a Dubai Cares programme in Egypt this year where the education system continues to face several challenges resulting in poor quality of education and low attendance rates, particularly amongst girls.

By joining hands with Dubai Cares, Chalhoub Group will contribute towards improving the quality of education in 20 schools across three governorates in Egypt as well as encourage and empower women to receive education, ensuring a high rate of enrolment.

To support this initiative, the Chalhoub Group launched a retail campaign called ‘Pen A Child’s Future’, where pens are currently being sold in the Chalhoub stores across the UAE, with the group committing to match all proceeds to support this initiative.

“This partnership is very important because it is about encouraging and empowering girls to join schools and receive a safe and supportive education. We believe in equal opportunities for boys and girls and that only education will help build the leaders of tomorrow. We are very happy to continue working with Dubai Cares to support and provide children and young people in the region with access to quality education,” says Chalhoub.

“Pen A Child’s Future is a commendable initiative by Chalhoub Group that promotes a powerful message – education has the power to transform a child’s future. Education offers children the tools to emerge as successful creators, innovators or scientists, who can facilitate strong change. We are confident that this initiative will be a success and we encourage members of the community to visit any of the Chalhoub stores across the UAE to support this initiative and help empower underprivileged girls in Egypt through education,” adds Al Gurg.

Dubai Care’s programme in Egypt titled “Ensuring Supportive and Safe Quality Education for Girls in Egypt” represents the organisation’s first intervention in the country. This three-year programme reflects the need for inclusivity and empowerment, an enhanced school environment, development of teaching methods as well as revision of school curricula by providing quality education that prepares young people for successful and fulfilling futures.

In addition, the programme aims to improve the standard of education for 15,000 students, and ensure they have a safe and engaging environment to learn throughout Upper Egypt’s Assiut, Beni Suief and Minya governorates. It will also adopt a multi-faceted approach to achieve its objectives by cultivating girls’ leadership skills through extracurricular activities and sports, enabling them to put these skills into practice through participating in student unions.